Abstract: Robotic systems and methods for collecting trash are provided. The robotic system includes a vehicle, a camera, a trash collection unit, an actuator, and a controller. The vehicle includes a drive. The camera moves with the vehicle to capture images of the trash while the vehicle moves along ground. The trash collection unit is carried by the vehicle to collect the trash. The trash collection unit includes a vacuum pump and a collection conduit. The actuator is operatively coupled to the collection conduit to adjust a position of the collection conduit relative to the vehicle to position the collection conduit adjacent to the trash to collect the trash. The controller is coupled to the drive, the camera, the trash collection unit, and the actuator to coordinate movement of the vehicle, positioning of the collection conduit, and operation of the vacuum pump to collect the trash.

Abstract: A coil assembly for utilization in a vapor deposition system is described herein that includes at least one subject coil having a length, a height, an inside edge, an outside edge and a thickness, wherein the thickness of the subject coil is measured as the distance between the inside edge and the outside edge and wherein at least part of the thickness of the subject coil is reduced by at least 20% as compared to a reference coil. A coil assembly is also described herein for utilization in a vapor deposition system that includes at least one subject coil having a length, a height, an inside edge, an outside edge, and a thickness, wherein the thickness of the subject coil is measured as the distance between the inside edge and the outside edge and wherein at least part of the height of at least part of the subject coil is reduced by at least 20% as compared to the height of a reference coil.

Abstract: A DC magnetron sputtering system is described that comprises an anodic shield; a cathodic target that comprises at least one sidewall; a plasma ignition arc; and a catch-ring coupled to and located around the shield. Another DC magnetron sputtering system is described that comprises an anodic shield; a cathodic target comprising at least one recess, cavity or a combination thereof and at least one protrusion; and a plasma ignition arc, whereby the arc is located at the point of least resistance between the anodic shield and the at least one recess, cavity or a combination thereof, the at least one protrusion or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A coil assembly for utilization in a vapor deposition system is described herein that includes at least one subject coil having a length, a height, an inside edge, an outside edge and a thickness, wherein the thickness of the subject coil is measured as the distance between the inside edge and the outside edge and wherein at least part of the thickness of the subject coil is reduced by at least 20% as compared to a reference coil. A coil assembly is also described herein for utilization in a vapor deposition system that includes at least one subject coil having a length, a height, an inside edge, an outside edge, and a thickness, wherein the thickness of the subject coil is measured as the distance between the inside edge and the outside edge and wherein at least part of the height of at least part of the subject coil is reduced by at least 20% as compared to the height of a reference coil.